DirecTV Gives 'Kingdom' a Two-Season Renewal

DirecTV has been very generous of late. Just a few months after handing out a two-season renewal to Rogue, its latest original, Kingdom, has gotten the same vote of confidence.

Kingdom has earned a 20-episode order just two weeks after premiering on the satellite service's Audience channel. Those episodes will start airing in fall 2015 after this first 10-episode season finishes later this year. The third season is planned for 2016.

From Endemol Studios, Kingdom is one of many high-profile swings into scripted originals DirecTV has made of late. The drama, which stars Frank Grillo, Kiele Sanchez, Matt Lauria, Jonathan Tucker, Nick Jonas and Joanna Going, has been greeted by generally favorable reviews from TV critics.

"DirecTV could not be more thrilled by the response that last week's premiere of Kingdom elicited from both critics and our viewers," said DirecTV senior vp original content production Chris Long. "The series very clearly resonated with DirecTV's subscribers, and we eagerly anticipate sharing these additional 20 episodes with them and further exploring the compelling world that Byron Balasco has created."

Set in the world of mixed martial arts boxing, the series follows one family's struggles in and out of the cage. It films in Whittier, Calif.